Travel Options for Orange Line Metro Riders During SafeTrack Surge #9 Starting Thursday

VIENNA, VA -- If you're an Orange Line rider looking to skip the Metro during the latest repairwork that starts Thursday or just trying to figure out how to use the Metro during the repairwork, here are some tips to help you get around.

The latest repairs to the Metro begin Thursday on the Orange Line and are scheduled to continue through Oct. 26. Metro trains will continuously single track during weekdays between Vienna and West Falls Church Metrorail Stations.

First off, all commuters should expect heavy delays and crowding at Metro stations, and on all major commuting corridors in Northern Virginia including I-66, I-495, Dulles Toll Road, and I-95. All commuters are urged to telework, rideshare and use alternate transit options described below (information courtesy of Fairfax County):

• Ridesharing
  1. Call or visit Commuter Connections to find potential carpool riders in your neighborhood,or to start a vanpool with neighbors or colleagues along your commute, or enroll in Guaranteed Ride Home program for emergencies.
  2. Check local slug line organizers for carpooling opportunities. All county Park-and-Ride facilities are available for sluggers to set-up lines.
  3. Use the I-95 and I-495 Express Lanes for free, with three people in a car (you’ll need an Express Lanes E-ZPass Flex transponder, though); and take advantage of the SmartBenefits transit benefits to help pay for your commute.
• Park-and-Rides and Bus Connections: From the Vienna/Fairfax/GMU Metrorail Station, take the Fairfax Connector supplemental express service to Pentagon; there will be limited Metrobus rush hour shuttle service between Vienna and West Falls Church every 5-10 minutes 5 a.m.-9 a.m. and 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Shuttles will not stop at Dunn Loring.
• Dunn Loring
  
  • Fairfax Connector 401 Dunn Loring via Tysons Westpark to Tysons Corner, Franconia-Springfield
  • Fairfax Connector 402 Dunn Loring to Tysons Corner, Franconia-Springfield
  • Fairfax Connector 462 Dunn Loring to Tysons Corner
  • Fairfax Connector 463 Vienna to Tysons Corner
  • Metrobus 1B to Ballston (AM/PM rush only)
  • Metrobus 2A to East Falls Church, Ballston
  • Metrobus 2B to Vienna
  • Metrobus 2T to Tysons Corner
  East Falls Church
  • Metrobus 2A to Ballston, Dunn Loring
  • Metrobus 3T to West Falls Church, McLean
  • ART 55 - Lee Highway - Rosslyn
  • ART 52 - Ballston - Virginia Hospital Center - East Falls Church
  • ART 53 - Ballston - Old Glebe - East Falls Church
  West Falls Church
  • FREE limited Metrobus rush hour shuttle service will operate between Vienna and West Falls Church every 5-10 minutes. Shuttles will not stop at Dunn Loring.
  • Metrobus 3T to East Falls Church, McLean
  • Metrobus 28A to Tysons Corner, King St.-Old Town

• Commuting by Bike: Orange Line Biking Connections I Map (PDF)
• Virginia Railway Express (VRE) For customers driving on I-66 from west of Vienna, consider taking the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Manassas Line (via Burke Centre) to Crystal City, L’Enfant Plaza or Union Station

PHOTO of Vienna/Fairfax/GMU station from Patch archive